Chapter 54: Catching Adulterers

  Xiao Jiading said: "I am now the county magistrate of Kang County, and in the future I will definitely have to deal with all kinds of people. I heard that when serving as an official in a certain place, one must first think of ways to obtain a local protection symbol, which is a detailed account of the various unscrupulous characters in the area. Although I am not an official, if I don't know the depth of the situation, I'm afraid I will offend people without knowing it. Du Lao has been in the Shaicheng County government office for decades and must be familiar with all the personnel in the Yizhou government office. Can't you tell me about it?"

  Xiao Jia Ding's remarks about the protective official symbol naturally come from the story of Jia Yu Cun breaking the confusing case in "Dream of Red Mansions". Although it is, it must also be a common practice in official circles.

  As expected, Xiao Jia Ding said that Du Da Yin was very pleased and said: "Great! A person without long-term worries must have short-term troubles! You can think of this point, it's not simple! Then I'll tell you."

  Xiao Jiading hastily said: "First pour the wine, let's drink and chat."

  "Cheers! Let's drink!"

  Then, Duda let his family prepare several exquisite small dishes, and the two of them chatted while eating. Listening to them talk about government affairs, Du Er Niu also didn't bother to listen, and went back to her room, leaving just the two of them.

  This old man is cunning and knows the importance of information, so he only says some superficial things and doesn't reveal too much. It's often when Xiao Jiading asks that he remembers something and adds it on. When he mentions several county heads, Xiao Jianding asks about the main purpose of this trip, regarding Liu Xiangzheng's affairs, he plans to make a move on this person, but doesn't know his background, so he's probing first, also to weigh the pros and cons.

  When Xiao Jiading asked about Liu Xiangzheng, Du Dali already had a few points of drunkenness, and with a wave of his hand, he said: "He's not worth mentioning, just relying on the accumulation of ancestors to have some ancestral property, with only two coins in his hands. His father was a businessman, no one looked up to him. He was willing to spend money, bribing officials, so he bought this Xiangzheng position. Those officials who took his money actually didn't look up to him at all. There are still several such people in our county government, I'll tell you slowly later."

  Xiao Jiading knew that to get valuable information out of Du Daxin's mouth, this jar of wine was far from enough. However, he had already obtained the most important piece of information he wanted to know, and his trip had been a success.

  Xiao Jiading remembered the plum blossom and, using the excuse that the sky had already darkened, bid farewell and left the Du residence.

  He came to Chime's mansion according to the address written on the door sticker given by Chime. To see her, he didn't need to bring anything, for Chime, he himself should be the best gift.

  From the outside, this house doesn't seem big, but it's very exquisite. The gatekeeper is an old woman who reports and lets us in. Mei comes out quickly, sees him, and with a joyful face says: "You've finally arrived! Come on in!"

  "Has the matter of your ransom been settled?"

  "It's done, now I'm single! Hehe!" Chi Mei looked very excited.

  "Congratulations!" Xiang Jia Ding said as he followed her into the yard, looking around and asking, "Is this what you rented?"

  "No, I bought it myself, isn't it good?"

  Xiao Jiading was shocked, this crazy Mei redeemed herself, and the amount of money was probably not small. Because she is a very famous singer, she is a money-making tree. If it wasn't for the high price, it would be impossible to let go. Now she has bought such a luxurious mansion, probably spending another large sum of money. It seems that this crazy Mei really made a lot of money.

  Xiao Jiading said: "The house is very beautiful. It matches you perfectly."

  Chi Mei listened to his praise, delighted, and took his arm, entering the house. The maids also retreated tactfully, closing the door behind them. Chi Mei immediately threw herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest.

  The two passionately kissed and got into bed. After a romantic encounter, they lay down and talked.

  Xiao Jiading asked her what she planned to do next, and Chi Mei said she didn't want to go back to her old ways. The money she had now was enough for her to spend for the rest of her life, so she didn't have to worry about making a living.

  Xiao Jiading thought of getting up to leave, but Chi Mei said that if there was nothing urgent to attend to, he could stay at her place tonight, she wanted to be with him. Xiao Jiading didn't have anything important either, so he agreed.

  Xiao Jiading had always thought that since Chi Mei was someone who was instructed to engage in sexual bribery, she would definitely reveal the person behind her. However, for an entire night, until Xiao Jiading left the next day, Chi Mei did not mention anyone else, nor did she ask Xiao Jiading to help with anything. This made Xiao Jianding somewhat surprised - could it be that Chi Mei really had fallen in love with him at first sight?

  Xiao Jiading didn't believe this point, he thought maybe the timing wasn't right yet. Since she hadn't said anything, he himself was too lazy to ask and pretended not to know.

  Zhu Haixin handled things efficiently, and by the next afternoon, he had found five contractors to sign contracts with Xiao Jiading for the renovation of shops and houses, including installment payments and interest.

  These street shops and houses should be renovated in what way, Xiao Jiading didn't understand the profession, so he let Zhu Haixin consult, while also referring to the opinions of these foremen.

  For the residence, Xiao Jiading made clear requirements, dividing it into two parts. One part is his own courtyard, on the street side, and the other part is at the other end of the vegetable field, a simple dwelling as a residence for the vegetable farmers. He didn't want to build his own courtyard too luxurious because he didn't have that much money, and it would also give people something to gossip about.

  After discussing and settling everything, we can start work now. I'll entrust Zhu Haiyin to be in charge of supervising the construction, and I'll come to take a look when I have time.

  Originally thought that Zhao's acquittal and release would bring the matter to a close, but unexpectedly, that afternoon, County Magistrate Kang was summoned by the prefecture, saying that the Surveillance Commissioner had arrived to discuss this miscarriage of justice.

  During the Tang Dynasty, there was a special agency called the "Imperial Censorate" in the capital city to supervise officials. It is equivalent to today's Disciplinary Inspection Commission and Anti-Corruption Bureau. The Imperial Censorate sent out inspectors twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn, to inspect the states and counties, investigate officials, review criminal cases, and maintain court etiquette. Although these inspectors were of low rank, only eighth grade or lower, they had great power and could directly impeach incompetent officials to the emperor. Therefore, even small officials, not to mention county magistrates, but also prefects, had to be extremely cautious and put on a smiling face when dealing with them.

  The supervising censor had a very important power, which was to correct unjust imprisonment, that is, to hold relevant officials accountable for wrongful convictions. So when the county magistrate of Kang heard that it was the supervising censor who was looking for him, he was so scared that his hair was drenched with sweat. He went there with a thumping heart and didn't return until the court was about to adjourn. His face was as pale as death, and he sat there in a trance.

  Xiao Jia Ding didn't ask him what was going on, he was waiting, waiting for the beautiful nun to bring him good news.

  The good news finally came tonight.

  At that time, Xiao Jiading was reading a book under the lamp in his residence. Suddenly, there was a flash before his eyes, and another person had appeared in the room. Xiao Jiading looked up to see that it was none other than the beautiful nun Huiyi!

  Huī Yí wore a black tight night-traveling attire, her shaved head also wrapped in a black cloth, and said to Xiāo Jiā Dǐng: "The person you asked me to tail has just ridden out with two attendants, heading straight for Huáng Yán Village! My junior sister is following him, I came to tell you."

  Xiao Jiading was overjoyed and said: "Great! Just wait a moment!"

  Xiao Jiading hastily arrived at the county magistrate's inner residence, requesting to see Magistrate Kang and reporting that there had been a major breakthrough in the Zhao family private communication case. They had discovered the person with whom he was privately communicating and asked if they could bring people to capture them.

  The county magistrate and his family were worried about being impeached by the supervising censor, but as soon as they heard Xiang Jiateng's words, their worries disappeared, and they were so happy that they almost danced with joy. Fortunately, he had many years of experience in officialdom and some self-control, so although he was overjoyed, he didn't make a fool of himself. He hastily told Xiang Jiateng: "Xiang Jiateng, you are in charge of investigating this case, and you must investigate it thoroughly! You must arrest all the suspects and bring them to justice! The evidence must be solid, and there can be no loopholes!"

  "Understood and obeyed!"

  Xiao Jiading just needed the words authorized by County Magistrate Kang, he knew that this case was related to County Magistrate Kang's future and fate, so County Magistrate Kang would definitely support him with all his might.

  With full authorization, Xiao Jiading's confidence increased greatly. He immediately went to the yamen's jailhouse and found that Dai, the night watchman, was on duty tonight. Xiao instructed him to bring several constables, a night watchman scribe, and two coroners' assistants to follow him in investigating the case. Dai hastily called the constables to prepare their horses and they rode off towards Huangyan Village.

  At the entrance of the village, a black-clad woman emerged from the darkness, also a nun who had aged. She said to Huiyi: "Sister, they are in that small forest over there!" After speaking, she pointed to the distance.

  "How long has that person been here?"

  "He has just arrived, his horse is tied up here. The two little servants he brought with him have been subdued by me and are in the grass over there."

  Dai Bu Tou couldn't understand what they were saying and looked at Xiao Jia Ding.

  Xiao Jiading said to him: "You go and call Luo Cunzheng immediately, remember, quietly, can't make too much noise!"

  "Good!" Dai Bu Tou didn't know what Xiao Jia Ding was doing with Luo Cun Zheng at this time. He didn't ask much and walked quickly away.

  Soon, Luo Cun Zheng arrived with several wealthy villagers from the village who were drinking and chatting at his house. When they heard that Xiao Zhi Yi had come, they all followed together to meet him. However, Dai Bu Tou mysteriously let them make no noise and felt very strange. So when they saw Xiao Jia Ding, they didn't dare speak, only bowing their hands slightly.

  Xiao Jiading didn't return the courtesy, he waved his hand and signaled for them to follow him, led by the elderly black-robed nun who had been squatting here, crouching down and slowly making their way into the small woods.

  At this time, a humming noise came from under a tree in the woods, as well as the urgent gasps of a woman and a man. The man said: "My little heart, you've suffered. I'll give you a good scare..."

  "Sanlang, thanks to you for saving our household, whatever you want is yours, our household is all yours..."

  Isn't that Zhao Shi and Liu Xiangzheng who just returned to the village? Luo Cun Zheng and others were shocked, looking at Xiao Jiading.

  Xiao Jiading smiled slightly and said to Dai Bu Tou: "Rush over and catch that pair of dog man and woman!"

  Dai Bu Tou suddenly understood what Xiao Jia Ding had them do, and immediately rushed over in the dark, pinning down the two naked men and women at once, shouting "Don't move! Be honest!"